Indian diaspora excited to welcome PM Modi in Slovakia, calls his visit significant for bilateral ties
Bratislava, June 14
Members of the Indian diaspora in Slovakia have expressed excitement ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit, saying it is a significant moment that will strengthen India-Slovakia relations.
A diaspora member, Vinay, said this would be the first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister since Slovakia's independence and described it as a significant step for both countries, noting the growing Indian community in the country over the past few years.
Another member of the diaspora, Sachin Gulati, a cancer research scientist, said the visit presents an important opportunity to boost cooperation, especially in medical research, and could help initiate new India-Slovakia bilateral projects.
"I am a research scientist here at the Cancer Research Institute. There had never been such an event here...When we heard of PM Modi's visit, we all became very excited. It is a huge opportunity for us. It is very important because several EU projects have come to us recently, and we keep getting national projects, but India-Slovakia bilateral projects in medical research should also begin. PM Modi is coming here, and this too will begin, I think," Gulati said.
At the invitation of the Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic, Robert Fico, PM Modi will pay a State Visit to the Slovak Republic from June 14 to 16. This will be the first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Slovakia since its independence in 1993.
The Prime Minister will hold talks with Prime Minister Fico and explore new avenues of cooperation. He will also meet President Pellegrini. The visit will reaffirm India's commitment towards strengthening its bilateral relationship with Slovakia in various sectors, including trade, investment, and automobile and railway manufacturing.
— ANI
Reader Comments
I love hearing stories of NRIs excelling abroad. Sachin Gulati, the cancer researcher, is a true inspiration – imagine the potential for India-Slovakia collaboration in medical science! With PM Modi's focus on healthcare post-COVID, this could lead to real breakthroughs. But I hope the trip doesn't get overshadowed by rhetoric; we need concrete MoUs and follow-ups. Still, a positive step indeed.
Good to see our PM visiting every corner of the world. While some critics say it's just a photo-op, these visits do matter – Slovak companies can invest in our automobile and railway sectors, and our students get more opportunities. The diaspora's excitement is genuine. Hope the government also uses this to boost tourism from Slovakia to India. Jai Hind! 🚀
As someone who works with EU-India collaborations, I can say this visit is long overdue. Slovakia is an underrated tech and manufacturing hub. The focus on medical research and railway manufacturing is smart – both are growth sectors. Let's see if this leads to more than just handshakes. The real test will be in the next few years when projects start rolling.
Impressive that this is the first-ever visit by an Indian PM to Slovakia since its independence in 1993! Shows how diplomacy is now reaching every nation. The diaspora's enthusiasm is contagious – reminds me of how NRIs in smaller countries often feel overlooked. But let's be honest: such visits also cost tax money. I hope the benefits trickle down to ordinary Indians too, not just big corporates.
P Priya S